James s



(NO Model.)

J. S. BALDWIN.

TOY GRAVITY RAILROAD 0R PARLOR SLEIGE. No. 310,929. Patented Jan. 20, 1885.;

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J AHES S. BALDVIN, OF NEWARK,- NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO LOUISE -HARPER, OF SAME PLACE.

TOY GRAVITY-RAILROAD OR PARLOR-SLEIGH.

QPBCIFICAEION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,929, dated January 20, 1885.

Application filed December 26, 1883.

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES S. BALDWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, such improvement beto the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon,which forma part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a toy, primarily for indoor amusement, which shall afford pleasantand enlivcning exercise for the children, and which, in a more restricted sense, will enable them to obtain within the house the same smooth gliding sensation that they derive from gliding on a sled on the snow.

It consists in the devices, arrangements, and combinations of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter set forth, and finally embodied in the clauses of the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the several figures, Figure 1 is a side elevation of said toy, arranged in the preferred form, and Fig. 2 a plan of the same, said figures clearly illustrating the arrangement and relations of the several parts therein employed. Fig. 3 is a section taken through line a: of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is asection taken longitudinally and vertically through one of the rails. Fig. 5 illustrates certain modifications, which figure will be hereinafter more fully and specifically described.

In carrying out the invention I form a track .or way, preferably of a double row of rails,a a,

arranged in an inclined position, on which is placed, at the highest part thereof, a sled or carriage, b, which, when occupied by a child, glides smoothly forward by the power of gravitation to the other end of the track.

their ends to form a continuous track by means of the standards which hold the sections in (No model.)

position both longitudinally and laterally, and at the same time-support them above the floor. The said standards are constructed, preferably, as follows: 5

c c are side pieces, consisting of blocks or boards of appropriate height. d is a board or tie-plate, secured on said sidepieces, to form a base for the ends of the rails to rest on. The guide blocks or stops e c are secured on top 6c of said tie-plate at each end thereof, guiding and holding said rails parallel with each other, and preventing alllateral motion thereof. In the grooves between the said guide blocks means are provided for holdingthe ends of the 6 5 rails together and preventing any longitudinal motion of the same. For this purpose I prefer the rods or wires ff, passing through the grooves and guide-blocks, the rails being notched near their extremities, as at g 9, Fig. 4, to pass over and engage with said rods. In lieu of the said rods and notches dowel-pins may be fixed either in the rails near their ends or in the said grooves,-and holes or recesses made opposite thereto to receive said pins; or 7 5 the rails may be dovetailed into said grooves. By either of these means the rails are adjusted and secured in position by simply laying their ends in said grooves, and as readily removed by simply lifting them out of the same, thereby dispensing with and saving the time and trouble involved in the employment of bolts, nuts, screws, wedges, or other adjustable or detachable fastenings which might have been used.

W here the rails form an incline, the standards for supporting and securing the several sections are graduated in height to correspond with their positions, and preferably their upper surfaces are inclined at an angle correspondo ing with the inclination of the rails, both of which features are shown in Fig. 1. \Vhere the rails form a horizontal line the standards are each of equal height and their upper and lower surfaces parallel.

I prefer arranging the track so that its start ing or upper end shall form a descending incline, and its terminus or lower end shall be horizontal. By this arrangement the momentum acquired by the sled or vehicle while descending the inclined section is arrested while traveling on the horizontal portion.

By arranging the whole track on a very slight incline the momentum of the vehicle will only be sufficient to overcome the friction, and consequently no increase of speed takes place between the starting-point and the terminus. The whole track may be arranged parallel with the floor, and aslight push, given to the sled at the starting-point, either with the hand or otherwise, will be sufficient to impel it to the other end.

The rails are preferably formed with longitudinal grooves on their upper edges adapted to receive the balls h 71, Fig. 3, and to guide their movements thereon. At intervals on said rails are arranged holding devices k, adapted to hold the balls stationary in their appropriate positions. Said holding devices are preferably constructed as shown, being short sections of indiarubber secured endwise in the upper edges of the rails, and pro j ectinga short distance above the same, against which the balls rest prior to the passage of the vehicle. A recess, in, surrounds the said holding-pieces is, Fig. 4, when the vehicle is impelled forward, and impinges against the balls. The holding-pieccs being yielding or elastic are bent or depressed into said recesses, thereby allowing said vehicle and balls to travel onward unimpeded by the said holding devices.

Instead of the india-rubber various other means may be employed for said holding pur poses, as wire springs, cords, or other yielding materials, or simply shallow recesses in the rails; or said holding devices may be se cured to the balls themselves instead of the rails.

On the upper or starting end of the track is arranged a sled or vehicle, I), said sled being constructed, preferably, with side rails or runners, at, grooved longitudinally and having their forward ends, 0, curved orbeveled, so as to allow them to pass readily upon and into engagement with the balls occupying the other portions of the track. Said vehicle is also provided at its front end with a rod or footpiece, 2), to prevent the feet of the occupant from slipping forward when traveling down the inclined rails.

Instead of the balls h, flanged rollers h, Fig. 5, may be employed. In this case the grooves in the rails and sled may be dispensed with, the flanges serving the same purpose of guidin g the movement of the rollers and the sled.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows: The track being constructed by arranging the portable standards at appropriate distances apart and connecting them by the rails, the balls or rollers are placed against the several holding pieces or devices, so that as the sled passes from one pair of balls it glides upon and engages with another pair. The weight of the child upon the sled causes the latter to move forward, the balls depressing or bending their adjacent holding-pieces, so that they no longer obstruct either the course of the sled or the balls that have been passed over, which latter follow after the sled, passing over the projecting pieces with aslight and enlivening noise, adding to the pleasure of the entertainment.

Having thus described my invention ,what I claim as new is 1. In a toy, graduated portable standards, in combination with detachable rails, substantiall y as and for the purpose set forth.

V 2. In a toy, graduatedstandardshaving one edge parallel with the floor and the opposite edge inclined at an angle thereto, in combi nation with rails arranged thereon, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a toy, an inclined track or way provided with recesses or stops for holding the balls or rollers in their several positions on said track, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4.. In a toy, a track or way provided with yielding and projecting stops for holding the balls or rollers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a toy, the combination of a sled or vehicle, a track or way provided with a series of balls or rollers placed at intervals thereon, said balls or rollers being detached from said track and free to travel thereon under the op eration of said sled or vehicle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a toy, graduated portable standards, in combination with rails grooved longitudinally on their upper surfaces, and provided with holding mechanism for the balls or rollers at intervals, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a toy, the combination of an inclined track or way having longitudinal grooves, a series of balls arranged at intervals in said grooves, and a sled or vehicle provided with grooves to engage with said balls, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a toy, a sled or vehicle having longitudinal grooves on its under surface and curved or beveled at the front end thereof to admit the passage of the balls, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a toy, rods or wires running crosswise of the grooves in the standards, in combination with notched rails adapted to engage with said rods, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a toy consisting of an inclined track or way made in detachable sections, a series of detached balls or rollers free to travel thereon, and a sled or vehicle adapted to engage with and travel on said balls or rollers, all of said parts being constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 8d day of December, 1883.

JAMES S. BALDNVIN.

Vitnesscs:

CHARLES H. FELL, F. F. CAMPBELL. 

